Open race for last two semifinals berths

Tomorrow’s last elimination round games in the in the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic will decide the fates of four teams as the battle for the two remaining semis berths became more interesting following Rollers 2’s win last Thursday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Rollers 2’s Warren Ellama drives from the corner against the defense of the Ol’Aces Tristan Montes during an earlier game in the boys U19 division of the 2014 Tan Holdings Basketball Classic at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Rollers 2 survived Kagman Risers in double overtime, 96-93, to force a three-way tie for fourth place with its victim and Ol’Aces, who earlier in the first game fell to Dream Team, 47-70.

Rollers 2, Kagman, and the Ol’Aces hold identical 3-3 records, just slightly behind the third-running 670 Sonics (4-2). The Sonics and Rollers 2 will collide tomorrow at 5:30pm in the last day of the elimination and the former’s win will boot out the latter. A Sonics loss will create a triple tie for the last two semis seats among the opposing teams in the first match and the winner between the Ol’Aces-Kagman tiff in the second game at 7pm.

Dream Team and Rollers 1, which ended the elimination with similar 6-1 slates, had already secured the first two semis berths. Dream Team won the tiebreak as it nosed out Rollers 1 in overtime, 65-64.

Shane Deleon Guerrero hit the dagger for Dream Team, as his buzzer-beating jumper near the free throw line foiled Rollers 1’s bid for an elimination round sweep, giving his team the No. 1 seeding in the playoffs.

Earlier in last Thursday’s important match between Rollers 2 and Kagman, the former leaned on Jethro Cruz’s hot hands to eke out the double-overtime victory.

Cruz sizzled for 34 points, including 9 in the first overtime that helped Rollers 2 force another standoff. In the second overtime, Cruz added 9 more, drilling 7 of them in consecutive fashion to finally lift Rollers 2 to the win. Warren Ellama also delivered in the second extension, scoring Rollers 2’s first 4 points, while Jun Alipio hit clutch free throws to keep the team’s playoff hopes alive.

Jason Lampkin led Kagman’s sorry loss with his 31 points.

In the other boys U19 match last Friday, Sun Palace bowed out of competition with a 68-53 thumping of Rollers 3.

Sun Palace Hotel managed to get a win in seven games in the elimination round, while Rollers 3 concluded its campaign without a single victory.

Sun Palace played better in the second half to battle back from a 25-30 deficit at halftime. The trio of Kautong Omengkar, Toshi Pangelinan, and Roy Venezuela made things happen for Sun Palace Hotel as all three finished in twin digits. Omengkar had a game-high 17 points, while Pangelinan and Venezuela chipped in 12 and 11, respectively.

Jude Tengco paced the winless Rollers 3 with his 12 markers.

THURSDAY
Rollers 2 96–Cruz 34, Rios 13, Ellama 12, Dancoe 11, Deocares 8, Alipio 6, Cudia 5, Santos 4, Abobo 1.

Kagman 93–Lampkin 31, Yu 17, Je. Santos 15, Jo. Santos 12, Palino 7, Prado 5, Yu 4, Paran 3.

Scoring by halves: 32-26, 68-68, 79-79 (1OT), 96-93 (2OT).

FRIDAY
First Game
Sun Palace 68–Omengkar 17, Pangelinan 12, Venezuela 11, Mamaril 8, Edralin 7, Benavente 6.

Rollers 3 53–Tengco 12, Dela Cruz 9, Ogumoro 9, Arceo 9, Alonzo 4, Cruz 3, Kisa 2, Factor 2.

Scoring by halves: 25-30, 68-53.

Second Game
Dream Team 65–Darag 15, S. Deleon Guerrero 14, I. Borja 12, Kwon 8, Francisco 5, F. Deleon Guerrero 2, Castro 2, E. Borja 2, Sanchez 2.

Rollers 1 64–Mendoza 16, Arciaga 14, Fidelino 8, Factor 6, De Leon 4, Espinosa 4, Vivero 2.

Scoring by halves: 28-24, 56-56, 65-64 (1OT).